John Thomas Grabill was born in Knox Co.(renamed Harlan Co. in 1819), KY to Jacob Grabeel& his wife "Saphire", a beautiful Cherokee Native Amrican who was first married to George Burkhardt. The family moved to neighboring Lee Co., Virginia when John was about a year old. John claimed Lee Co., Virginia as "home". Jacob & his first wife's children: George Burkhardt, adopted by Jacob Grabeel; Elizabeth Burkhardt, adopted by Jacob Grabill; Mary, who married George W. Reed; John Thomas Grabeel; Jacob Grabeel; Isaac Grabeel; Andrew Grabeel; Levisa [Luisa] Sophia married William Hays; and Susannah, m. James M. Martin, and Jesse L.A. Grabeel (1825-Mar 1835).
About 1827, when he was about 10, John's mother died.

The farm where John was raised grew to be one of the largest in Lee County, Virginia. But they did not have slaves in his father's, Jacob Grabeel, lifetime. Instead, the children worked with their parents and part of the land was maintained by tenant farmers. They grew grains: wheat, rye, oats, corn and Indian corn. They harvested the straw and stalks. They milked cows, had oxen and a mule, feeder cattle, hogs, sheep, and chickens. John's half-sister, Catharine, raised silk worms for the silk thread to be spun into cloth.

John's father married a second time to Jane B. Morton, about 1827. John's siblings gradually increased to 7 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers: Lucinda Jane, married Ervin H. Russell; Josephus Grabeel; Catherine, married Francis Asbury Muncy; William, b. 1833-d. July 1847; Nancy Ellen, 1m. Lorenzo Dow Russell & 2m. Russell Jr. Mileham; Sarah A., married Mason Michael Lyons; Rachel Elendor Grabeel (died 1860, age 17, typhoid fever); Louisa D. Grabeal, (died 1860); and Martha Morton Grabeel, m. Zion F. Hobbs.

"In 1838, John Grabill rode his horse from Virginia to Missouri, returned to Virginia & married Sarah Shelton "Sallie" Woodward" on 2 January 1840, Sugar Run, Lee Co., VA. Five children were born: Henry Heydon Grabill (1840-1841, Lee Co., VA); John W. Grable 1842-1922; Rev. Jacob Andrew Grabill 1844-1895; David Henry Grabill 1847-1931; & Malinda Elizabeth Rhoda Grabill Blankenship, 1850-1928.

1840 Census, Lee Co., VA: John Graybill & wife lived in the house next to Jacob Grabeel's family, on the waters of Trading Creek.

1841, age 24, John joined the Methodist Episcopal South Church, Lee Co., VA. John & Sallie lost their first child.

1842, John & Sally began a migration to Missouri. Another son, John W. Grabeel was born. In July of 1844, Sallie gave birth to their third son Jacob Andrew Grabill (named after John's father & brother) in Clay Co., MO.

(Is this OUR John Grabill?) Edmonson Co., KY Court Records: "John Grabill is appointed surveyor of the Norgantown from the Copperas Spring to the Butler County Line and that the hands of Christian Wialen, Jacob & Phillip Raymer, Isaac Grabell Sr. & Jr., Jacob Souders, Thomas & Pleasant Heath, and Daniel Gairy be allotted said surveyor to keep said road in repair as the law directs." Source: Edmonson co., Court Order Book -April term, 1847.

Nov. 7, 1847: Letter from Henry & Elizabeth Woodward to Mr. John Grabill, Gallatin P.O., Daviess Co., MO, addressing family news and Woodward genealogy with dates.

In 1849, John homesteaded 100 acres in Hamilton Township, Harrison Co., MO. The family lived in District 27, Daviess Co., MO until their log home was built and a bridge was put in to cross the river (1850).

1861, John & Sallie's oldest son, John W. Grable enlisted as Private , 44th, & 12th Missouri Regiment, Union soldiers in the Civil War. However, he deserted at St. Joseph, MO. Perhaps enlisting wasn't his idea?

1880 Federal Census, Harrison Co., MO, John gave his birthplace as Virginia, & both his parents' as Pennsylvania.

John was a faithful Christian until death. His tombstone inscription: "Blessed are the dead which die in their Lord, they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."

*Source: Letter to Robert Grabill, Toms Brooks, VA, from Mrs. G.G. White (granddaughter of Isaac Grabeel) lists Jacob's first wife's last name as Burkhardt, with (Catherine) in parentheses, however, Catherine Winters Burkhardt might be Mary Burkhardt Grabeel's mother's name---or it might be Sophia (maiden name not known) Burkhart. THIS AREA IS BEING FURTHER RESEARCHED 8/7/2016.

[Mary Wells is the name published in "Bicentennial History of Lee Co., VA", written by Lee County Historical Society, however, that is the maiden name of George Grabill's wife, John's sister-in-law. Family tradition--John is thought to be named after his maternal great-grandfather John Thomas Ely, or his uncle John Thomas, husband of his aunt, Susanna Grabeel].

Besides DNA Connections, proof that John Grabeel/Grabill was the son of Jacob Grabeel of Lee County, Virginia is found in: www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=105-1883-038#img.
"Complaint by Henry & Elizabeth Thompson & James Martin & Susannah of Jacob Graybeal (late), Lee Co., VA, on waters of Hardy's or Trading Creek about 10 or 12 miles west of Jonesville. Two marriages, two sets of children [by his first wife] George Grabeal (dec'd)...list of George's descendants; Mary Grabeal, m. George W. Reed...[both died but lists their 5 children];..."He also had by wit: John Grabeal, Jacob Grabeal, Isaac Grabeal, Andrew Grabeal, Levisa [Luisa] Sophia who married William Hays, and your orator Susannah Grabeal who married your orator James. M. Martin."
"2nd wife, Jane Grabeal: Lucinda, married Ervin H. Russell; Catherine who married Francis A. Muncy; Nancy who married Russell Jr. Mileham; Sarah A. who married Mason Lyon; Martha who married Zion Hobbs; Josephus Grabill..." Jacob is referred to as "Zechariah Grabeel" on one of the documents.